ALS Society of Saskatchewan Programs and Services

Please see below the programs and services provided by the ALS Society of Saskatchewan. To learn more about each program, toggle it open by clicking on the Plus icon on the right.

Information, Referral and Home Visits

Conduct home visits to lend support and stay in touch by phone with families affected by ALS. Individuals with ALS and their family’s request help in finding information about ALS and services that are available, and in accessing equipment, home care, and other services. Families also seek help in advocacy on their behalf. Our health care system is complex and often difficult to navigate even by those who work within it. The ALS Society strives to be a central place for obtaining information relevant to ALS services available to those affected by ALS.

Support Group

The ALS Society believes that by sharing frustrations, fears, and inspirations of individuals and family members, barriers of isolation can be broken. We are committed to assisting in the establishment of Support Groups wherever an interest is shown. There is a definite need to train more volunteers in other areas of the province to facilitate more of support groups.

There are monthly Support Groups offered for People with ALS, Family members and caregivers in Regina, Saskatoon and Lloydminster” Please contact the ALS Society for dates and times or refer to the ALS Society Facebook page found under the “Events” tab of this website.

Equipment Loan Program

Medical equipment includes mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, commodes, lifts, and other medical equipment required by people with ALS. (SAIL) Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living provides most resources for equipment. The program may not meet all the needs of people with ALS. In these situations the Society may provide some of the necessary equipment. Services are developed based on gaps identified for the particular population. We as a non-profit Society’s provide the ongoing education, individual and family support, and financial assistance for items that are government funded.

Assistive Technology

This equipment includes communication aids such as computers, environmental controls that allow the person with ALS to maintain communication. Currently government programs do not fund this type of equipment. This equipment is essential to ensure people with ALS have access to their living environment.

Awareness and education programs

The Society focuses their efforts to make the medical community and Saskatchewan in general aware of ALS and the services of the Society. We make contact through special events, presentations, fundraising, with clients and their families

Advocacy

Efforts to raise the awareness and consciousness of government and community support systems are a critical component of the role of the ALS Society. As a result, the Society has taken an active role in lobbying the Federal and Provincial Governments to address such issues as decreased resource development for research, more timely delivery of services. As well, families dealing with the wide array of services often become overwhelmed. The Society attempts to provide guidance and support to help the individual with ALS and the family work through the maze of services as the disease progresses.

Peer Support

The ALS Society believes that by sharing frustrations, fears, and inspirations of individuals and family members, barriers of isolation can be broken. The ALS Society of Saskatchewan was successful in receiving funding from the Community Initiatives Fund to develop a Peer Mentorship Program. Grant number CIF:16:312

Peer support occurs when people who share a common problem or issue learn together and support one another as they face common challenges. It’s a unique form of service, since the support provided can only be received by those who share similar experiences– experiences a lot of health workers just do not have.

Peer support can be as frequent, ongoing, accessible and flexible as people wish. Peer Support complements and enhances other health care services by creating the emotional, social and practical assistance necessary for managing the disease day by day and staying mentally healthy.

If you are interested in participating in the Society Peer Support Steering Committee or having someone you can talk to who is sharing or has shared your journey, please contact the ALS Society of Saskatchewan Office 306-949-4100 or alssask@gmail.com

Resources for the development of this program were made possible by a grant from the Community Initiatives Fund.